Yes, this year's version of the SonBlazers is a younger one, with just two seniors on its roster - post player Devon Tourtillot and point guard Christian Jimenez.

"It's been different. Last year we had six, seven seniors," head coach Terry Adler said. "Even the supporting cast was a veteran cast. We lost a lot of kids due to transfers this year, that we had brought up in the system. They're not here anymore."

Despite their 3-9 record early on, MVCS has played teams that rank much higher than its own 2A classification. Opponents such as Gilbert Christian (out of Gilbert, Ariz.), Brethren Christian (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and against New Mexico-based programs Kirtland Central (which accounted for one of the SonBlazers three wins), Valley, Silver High and upcoming contests against Los Lunas (tonight), Hot Springs (next Thursday) and Deming (next Saturday) exemplify that point.

Which brings up the question: When District 6-2A play rolls around, and then the subsequent state tournament, will the SonBlazers be in the mix with similar programs such as Texico, Tularosa, Dexter, Laguna Acoma, Tohatchi, Bosque Prep and Santa Fe Prep for the top billing in state? In all likelihood, yes.

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"If they go off strength of schedule, we're at the top of the list," Adler said. "If they go off win-loss record, we're at the bottom."

The SonBlazers have a bit more size than in years past with the likes of Tourtillot, Tristan Franzoy, Nick Nunley and Jeff Adler manning the frontcourt.

Adler acknowledged his team still needs to be better in ballhandling, which means pressure defense could give his squad problems at this stage of the 2012-13 campaign.

"We have the talent, we have the size," Adler said. "It's just a matter of these guys getting some victories under their belt and we're going to take off."

It's a close-nit group at a program where winning remains the expectation every night the team takes the court. Such a mindset likely means with continued improvement, the SonBlazers should be at or near the top of the Class 2A standings once again as the high school hoops season progresses.

"It's not like we're getting blown out," Nunley said of the early-season schedule. "We're right there. We're just learning how to win."

Teddy Feinberg can be reached at (575) 541-5455. Follow him on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg